The conference will be held March 4 in Emporia State University’s Memorial Union.

Vanderpool’s first book Moon Over Manifest received the Newbery Medal; she was the first author in 30 years to have her debut novel receive the honor. She started reading at age five and writing at age six, when her first poem was published in the school newspaper. She has recently published her second novel, Navigating Early. Vanderpool likes writing historical fiction and her books have unique characters and a strong sense of place. She lives in Wichita with her husband and their four children.

Vanderpool will speak at lunch, from 11:15 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., on “Tales of a First Grade Writer” in Webb Hall Two of the Memorial Union.

Lose is an associate professor of reading and language arts and director of the Reading Recovery center of Michigan at Oakland University. Her research is on early literacy intervention policies, teachers’ professional development, and contingent teaching. Her article, “A child’s ‘Response to Intervention’ requires a responsive teacher of reading” was reprinted in two books published in 2010 by the International Reading Association.

“Selecting and Introducing Texts in Support of a Literacy Processing System” will be the topic of Lose’s address at 8:40-9:45 a.m. in the Preston Family Room of the Memorial Union.

The conference will offer educators the opportunity to network and attend sessions led by reading instruction experts including:

Beth Dobler, Professor in Elementary Education, ESU

Debra Schapaugh, Reading Specialist, Title I, USD #383, Manhattan

Annie Opat, Reading Recovery Director, ESU

Suzanne DeWeese, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, ESU

Betsy Bunnel, Reading Recovery Teacher Leader, USD #365 Garnett

The conference will be from 8:30 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. Registrations for the conference are being taken at www.emporia.edu/readingrecovery/conferences/register.html.

For more information about registration for the conference, directions to the conference, or about the Reading Recovery program at ESU, visit www.emporia.edu/readingrecovery or contact the Jones Institute at 620-341-5372, toll free 877-378-5433, or e-mail Lucie Eusey at leusey@emporia.edu.